EV general discussion

[kissenger]

Starting to seriously think about going electric. The low cost of running is starting to appeal compared to my old diesel.

I was wondering though, what’s the situation with servicing? Do you still need yearly services with an electric given that there is no ICE? And what’s durability like? Do most electrics last as long as a decent ICE car?

 

[blun]

There is absolutely minimal serving required, as you say there isn't much to service. Many manufacturers have an "annual inspection" which is, in my opinion, a way to replace the lost revenue stream from servicing. The things they check are things that could normally be checked yourself at home.

Brakes are about the only consumable, and they last much longer due to using regenarative braking for the majority of slowing-down activity.

Durability is the same or better than we are used to with ICE due to fewer moving parts etc.. Full battery capacity will decline a little over, say 10 years. (e.g. a car that starts with 300 miles range might be a car with 280 miles range when it's 10 years old).

 

[rwm24]

After wanting one since 2019 I finally took the plunge and bought a Model 3.

Spoiler: Pictures

It's only the standard range model, but the performance is more than what I need, it has every feature you could want and with a home charger the range is sufficient (~180 miles?). It has the new LFP battery so will be regularly charged to 100%

 

[kissenger]

There is absolutely minimal serving required, as you say there isn't much to service. Many manufacturers have an "annual inspection" which is, in my opinion, a way to replace the lost revenue stream from servicing. The things they check are things that could normally be checked yourself at home.

Brakes are about the only consumable, and they last much longer due to using regenarative braking for the majority of slowing-down activity.

Durability is the same or better than we are used to with ICE due to fewer moving parts etc.. Full battery capacity will decline a little over, say 10 years. (e.g. a car that starts with 300 miles range might be a car with 280 miles range when it's 10 years old).

See, this is big, and I don't think most people realise it. From what I can tell, the cost of an electric might be higher initially, but the running costs are ridiculously low in comparison. Doing the math, my diesel costs me at least £100pm in fuel, £2–300 per year in servicing. I read a breakdown of what it costs to run an electric the other day where the guy said he can do 8000 miles per year for less than £100 in energy (I think it was a special tariff for car charging). If that's correct the average person would save over £1000 a year, so unless the price differential is massive, electric is the sensible choice.

For example say the differential between the ICE and electric versions of the same new car is £27–33k, it's only gonna take you 6 years to make up the difference, and that's not factoring in congestion charges and the like. And you will probably have less depreciation as well. Hmm... I'm starting to think it's time.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

After wanting one since 2019 I finally took the plunge and bought a Model 3.

Spoiler: Pictures

It's only the standard range model, but the performance is more than what I need, it has every feature you could want and with a home charger the range is sufficient (~180 miles?). It has the new LFP battery so will be regularly charged to 100%

Nice, I heard good things about the LFP battery. Bjorn was certainly raving about it the other day.

 

[Scottland]

Just about to hit the button on a Kona (64kw). We were initially going PHEV and some long lead times quoted made us sit back and reconsider. We're only doing it on a 2yr lease as we think the electric car market will be much better in a couple of years time. There's very little my (fussy) wife liked in the EV market, wheras the Kona is 'fine' and a relatively cheap way of dipping our toe...

 

[lordrobs]

See, this is big, and I don't think most people realise it. From what I can tell, the cost of an electric might be higher initially, but the running costs are ridiculously low in comparison.

Even if they don't need servicing I can see dealers charging a fortune for the obligatory "inspection" to keep your warranty valid. This will be compounded if they choose to give an 8 year warranty on the battery / drivetrain.

Apologies to anyone in the trade but... I'd be VERY pleased if the move to EV's sees the whole concept of a dealer network disappear over the next decade or so;

• Buy your cars at a fixed price (as some are already doing) without any cat and mouse with a sleazy closer and being left feeling like you've just paid more than you should have.
• Forget the concept of "service intervals" where you have work carried out because a pre-defined schedule says its needed while things that actually need attention are missed because they aren't on the checklist.
• Make the whole system more convenient for the customer. If it literally just needs an inspection, send the technician to the car. Likewise if it needs a simple repair. Trying to get my car looked at by a main dealer it was - We'll need the car all day, we aren't doing courtesy lifts "because COVID", we can't pick it up "because COVID" and its over three weeks before we have a courtesy car available.

 

[Ben Cole]

When I bought my Kona in January I was going to be saving £220+ a month on fuel. Diesel has gone up a fair bit since then too.

Regarding efficiency, in the 12k+ miles I've done since then I've averaged 4m/kWh and it's rising. Mostly motorway miles, winter weather kills the economy as we know. Until march it was 3.7 or so.

My last return from work, I targeted 70 mph for the sake of a thread on the EV forum. Clear drive with a couple of sections of 50mph. 160 miles netted 4.4 m/kWh. Which was more than I expected. Warm dry day though.

If I'm driving locally I expect high 4s or 5s when the temp is 15c or higher.

The Kona really has met or exceeded my expectations in just about all aspects.

 

[Ben Cole]

....in fact the only shame is that occasionally the 4 hrs cheap charging (Octopus Go) isn't enough for my energy needs. Luckily I also have cheap charging in work.

 

[BobShark]

After wanting one since 2019 I finally took the plunge and bought a Model 3.

Spoiler: Pictures

It's only the standard range model, but the performance is more than what I need, it has every feature you could want and with a home charger the range is sufficient (~180 miles?). It has the new LFP battery so will be regularly charged to 100%

Congrats, I think you won't be disappointed.

 

[VaderDSL]

Do all these EVs have pre conditioning and does it work well?

one thing I love on my current car is the front screen defrost. I usually leave for work at 5 or 5:30 and in winter it’s very handy. Pre conditioning would be even better presumably?

 

[Ben Cole]

Do all these EVs have pre conditioning and does it work well?

one thing I love on my current car is the front screen defrost. I usually leave for work at 5 or 5:30 and in winter it’s very handy. Pre conditioning would be even better presumably?

The Kona does, and it works well.

 

[BobShark]

Do all these EVs have pre conditioning and does it work well?

one thing I love on my current car is the front screen defrost. I usually leave for work at 5 or 5:30 and in winter it’s very handy. Pre conditioning would be even better presumably?

Can warm the car up straight from my app, don't even need to go outside!

 

[Jonnycoupe]

My 2018 diesel velar offered the same so let’s not get too carried away

 

[Jonnycoupe]

....in fact the only shame is that occasionally the 4 hrs cheap charging (Octopus Go) isn't enough for my energy needs. Luckily I also have cheap charging in work.

That’s where I am so moved to Go Faster for 5h starting at 8:30pm. Only issue now was like last night after football and I get home at 10pm

 

[jpaul]

When I bought my Kona in January I was going to be saving £220+ a month on fuel. Diesel has gone up a fair bit since then too.

Regarding efficiency, in the 12k+ miles I've done since then I've averaged 4m/kWh and it's rising. Mostly motorway miles, winter weather kills the economy as we know. Until march it was 3.7 or so.

My last return from work, I targeted 70 mph for the sake of a thread on the EV forum. Clear drive with a couple of sections of 50mph. 160 miles netted 4.4 m/kWh. Which was more than I expected. Warm dry day though.

If you are doing 20+K a year, I guess you need to get on, @70, otherwise, on an A road commute 50-60mph 5m/KWh sounds already achievable,
must have been an efficient diesel predecessor too.

Has the Kona shown any niggles(rattles...)/dealership visits ? - or ... tyre wear, with its traction control technology.

 

[Ben Cole]

That’s where I am so moved to Go Faster for 5h starting at 8:30pm. Only issue now was like last night after football and I get home at 10pm

Yes, the old swings and roundabouts. I could help by charging to 100% but I don't know how long I'm going to keep the car so playing it safe with 80% which is good for well over 200 miles in most conditions.

 

[Ben Cole]

If you are doing 20+K a year, I guess you need to get on, @70, otherwise, on an A road commute 50-60mph 5m/KWh sounds already achievable,
must have been an efficient diesel predecessor too.

Has the Kona shown any niggles(rattles...)/dealership visits ? - or ... tyre wear, with its traction control technology.

Yes, I realised my post would be more relevant if I mentioned the previous car.....1.6 diesel Golf (2016) and I do 30k+ or more a year.

Usually target 62-65mph on the motorway as a compromise between getting a move on, economy and not annoying trucks.

No niggles. One recall for BMS update. First service (£60) for what I don't know, "inspection". No rattles or annoyances. Mine came with Michelin so traction is what you'd expect for 400nm/FWD.

 

[kitkat9933]

Even if they don't need servicing I can see dealers charging a fortune for the obligatory "inspection" to keep your warranty valid. This will be compounded if they choose to give an 8 year warranty on the battery / drivetrain.

Apologies to anyone in the trade but... I'd be VERY pleased if the move to EV's sees the whole concept of a dealer network disappear over the next decade or so;

• Buy your cars at a fixed price (as some are already doing) without any cat and mouse with a sleazy closer and being left feeling like you've just paid more than you should have.
• Forget the concept of "service intervals" where you have work carried out because a pre-defined schedule says its needed while things that actually need attention are missed because they aren't on the checklist.
• Make the whole system more convenient for the customer. If it literally just needs an inspection, send the technician to the car. Likewise if it needs a simple repair. Trying to get my car looked at by a main dealer it was - We'll need the car all day, we aren't doing courtesy lifts "because COVID", we can't pick it up "because COVID" and its over three weeks before we have a courtesy car available.

This is the good thing about Tesla. They do no penalise you on your warranty for not doing the recommended service items. Tesla's servicing prices are high for what they are.

In 4 years of Tesla Ownership across 100k miles, with my Model S, Model 3 and soon another Model S, I have only done the following:

• Replaced all Tyres on my first Model S after 25k miles.
• Rotated Tyres on my Model 3 once.
• Had my breaks and break fluid checked once after 2 years on the first Model S.

 

[sovietspybob]

Yeah that is one of the nice things about Tesla, they don't try and blag you about servicing they're just honest that there's really nothing to do.

If i had one i think i'd strip and grease the brakes myself once a year but otherwise there really is nothing to do.